CHICO — A century-old walnut tree in east Chico is going to become the first private tree on the city”s voluntary heritage tree list.

At Monday”s Bidwell Park and Playground Commission meeting, the application to the program for a bastogne walnut is on the agenda.

It”s not likely the application will be turned down. The owners have done everything needed, from paying the city”s $300 application fee to having a certified arborist examine the tree.

With a diameter of 18 feet, two inches, the tree is the cornerstone of the Park Forest residential subdivision at East Eight Street and Forest Avenue. Local builder Bruce McCrea applied for the tree to be on the list. McCrea is vice president of the Park Forest homeowners association, which is the official tree owner.

Bastogne walnuts were identified by famous botanist Luther Burbank as a cross of English and claro walnut trees. What”s unusual is that the bastogne is not like either parent tree, with larger leaves and a low umbrella shape. The wood is heavier and denser than either.

McCrea has taken care of the tree from the beginning when he and several investors bought the property in 2004. North Valley Tree Service was hired to care for the tree and watch over several other walnuts that are part of the development.

McCrea said he paid $40,000 for a concrete wall to be built around the tree to protect it.

Of the heritage tree program, McCrea said, “Our goals are the same — to preserve that tree forever. It”s an amazing tree.”

Chico Urban Forest Manager Denice Britton said she was “very pleased” to see a private tree added to the voluntary program.

Britton said the tree application is on the Park Commission”s consent agenda because “I didn”t think anyone would object to it. Park commissioners can always pull it.”

McCrea, who”s been involved in local construction for 19 years, gathered the parcel”s history from the woman who sold the property and left Chico.

Without identifying the woman, McCrea said, “She lived on the property her whole life. Her grandfather planted the tree in 1900.”

It was planted as a pollinator for a family walnut orchard that grew there, he was told.

McCrea acknowledged the tree adds value to his development, but its protection is more than a financial asset.

“It”s probably the most beautiful tree you”ve ever seen,” he said. “It is just the centerpiece of what we”re trying to do here.”

There are about 80 trees on the property that have been preserved, he said. Only five of the 35 homes in the subdivision have been built.

McCrea said someone offered to pay him handsomely for the wood, but he declined.

“I understand these trees can live 500 years. I want it to go that long.”

Britton noted in a report to the city that, “The tree is still in excellent condition, so the tree protection measures taken in the initial stages of development appear to have been quite successful. I see no indication at this time that the tree is declining or that there are any conditions that will significantly reduce the tree”s lifespan.”

Until this application, there have only been city trees on the voluntary program. Extraordinary trees can be nominated, but the owners have to agree to the listing, and pay the $300 fee.

Britton responded to the idea that the heritage tree ordinance could open the door to more regulation of trees. While trees on the list can”t be cut down without city approval, more regulation than that is not intended.